To Do: Learn to Quilt

This beautiful quilting pattern comes from Purl in SoHo. This wedding quilt was made in the wedding colors for a very lucky couple — this is so much more awesome than a toaster! We've wanted to learn how to quilt for a while now, but have been stymied by our lack of sewing skills. BUT we can hand sew, so maybe a hand quilting class is what we need. On the Purl Bee, Molly graciously provided detailed instructions to the wedding quilt.

Check out that pattern! All of this has us enthuzed about quilting and we're seriously considering one of Purl's classes. They have a Quilt Making by Hand class that begins on Wednesday, April 29. Have you ever taken a class at Purl or hand sewn a quilt?

Oh and isn't that room gorgeous? It is so simply decorated, with such a vibrant palette. We love the turquoise bench next to the bed as a nightstand, and the sheepskin rugs on either side of the bed are a nice touch. It's a reminder that you don't need fancy furnishings (or even a bed!) to put together a great space.

Comments (15)

I took a quilting class my senior year of high school. It was the first time I ever touched a sewing machine, and at the end of the week I walked away with a quilt... that I made! It was one of the best classes I've ever taken. I still have that quilt. A couple seams didn't really hold up well, but it's looks pretty good.
Now that I have my own sewing machine, I've been wanting to make another quilt. I just need to get all of these other projects off my plate first. :)

Oh, and Amy Butler has some pretty awesome quilt patterns. I think a couple of them are free, too.

ALL quilts originally were made totally by hand -- it's a matter of sewing skill and TIME! (But consider getting a sewing machine. There are inexpensive non-fancy ones fine for plain sewing like quilts. Something like this design can be sewn fast using strips of cloth and straight seams and could be done (the top, not the layering of batting etc.) in a weekend. Buy hand, maybe months!)

I took up quilting in February and have to date finished three quilts and completed a fourth quilt top that is waiting to be quilted. It's easier than you think if you stick to straight lines and grid-based geometry. I'd also recommend starting out small. The first I did was a baby quilt, the second was a large lap quilt, the third a smaller lap quilt, and the fourth will fit a twin-sized bed when I'm finished.

I also second getting a basic sewing machine -- straight lines make things easier and using a machine means you just zip right a long. To be honest, the part that takes forever for me is ironing, measuring, and cutting the fabric; once all that's done, the quilt comes together pretty quickly.

Any recs for good quilting classes in LA? I've taken different courses over the years at JoAnn's, but was never impressed with the teaching staff. It seems that knowing how to do something and knowing how to show someone else are vastly different skills.

Oh, and I love that quilt.

That quilt is so amazing.

My local craft store is getting a machine that will cut quilt pieces for you. I wonder if it can cut this shape? I'm loving this pattern. All I have to do is take her my fabrics and she will cut them, and then I have to sew them together. My plan was just to do plain blocks and save myself the trouble of figuring out a pattern.

I love that quilt.

I grew up in a family of quilters. After someone finishes their quilt blocks, my mom would set up the quilt frame in the living room and everyone would sit around, hand quilting the blocks to the batting and backing, while talking, sharing stories, and the little kids would hang out under the frame. It is one of the best memories I have of growing up.

I already know how to sew, but if I didn't, I would search blogs til I found someone whose style interests me.
You can always email blog authors- they (we) love to share knowledge, resources, etc.

And I highly recommend this book by Joelle Hoverson for fun projects with good instructions:
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Minute-Patchwork-Quilted-Joelle-Hoverson/dp/1584796340

It's easy to machine piece (use a 1/4 inch seam allowance). If you want to some handwork, save it for the quilting. You could take basic class at City Quilter on 25th St. But sign up early, as they tend to fill up quickly.

http://www.cityquilter.com/classes.html

I'm hand quilting one right now. The corners don't match but it's still cool. I'm also taking a class at a quilting shop and learning to do things the right way. I love it!!

The cold weather's just hit us here in Australia, and I am getting the urge to make quilts!

I technically have the skills, but have not yet managed to complete everything. I get intimidated byt eh whole Quilting World - everything is so expensive and complicated... I have made a vow to actually finish something this year, remembering that quilts ahve been made for many many years by people without access to fancy quilting stores with snobby owners.

I took an intro to sewing class last weekend in LA at The Urban Craft Center. I don't feel confident to do a quilt yet, but I know my way around the machine.

i just started quilting a couple years ago and i love it! you can start with just squares for your first quilt, they are the easiest. i have kept it to squares and rectangles so far, but just bought a free motion sewing attachment so things should get a little more interesting as soon as i get the hang of it!

www.brand-eye.blogspot.com

My mom sew and quilts. This post makes me happy knowing that other people are into quilting, because Mom is afraid the craft will die out with her! (I make a mess of the whole quilting thing!) I'd love to be able to make a quilt, but I'll just be happy with the ones Mom gave me.

I would like to learn how to quilt but there are no places near me that teach how to quilt. ... Anyone have any suggestions on how i can learn? Books or Web links would be awesome!

I just started learning how to knit last year and since this weather kicked in i started knitting a shawl. Maybe next a quilt and some socks :-) Just gotta figure out how to make them first.